Stories for August 9th 2007
Seven months of unusual global climatic catastrophes
In line with the forecasts from experts and international agencies in the first seven months of this year the world experienced unusual climatic catastrophes including heat waves in Europe, snow falls in Africa and record floods in Asia according to the latest report from the United Nations Meteorological Organization.
Lula da Silva promises energy/ethanol aid to Nicaragua
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered Nicaragua technical assistance in producing ethanol after talks Wednesday in Managua with the country's president, Daniel Ortega. Brazil will seek to contribute to growth, development and “social justice” in Nicaragua, Central America's poorest country, Lula da Silva told reporters.
Great Britain: Foot-and-mouth restrictions eased
Restrictions on the movement of animals imposed in the wake of the foot-and-mouth outbreak have been eased.
Kirchner promised “full compensation” to torched Spanish fishing companies
President Nestor Kirchner promised Spain “full compensation” to the Spanish fishing companies torched during a July labor dispute in his home Patagonia province of Santa Cruz, plus pressing charges against those responsible, including union leaders.
Santiago covered in snow and Chilean farms knock out
Chile's capital Santiago woke up Thursday to a very unusual sight: most of the city was covered by ten to fifteen centimeters of snow, becoming thicker towards the east and the mighty Andes cordillera.
Ecuador/Venezuela plan largest oil refinery in Pacific coast
Ecuador and Venezuela subscribed Thursday an agreement for the construction of the largest crude refinery in the South American Pacific coast with a capacity of 300.000 barrels per day.
Central banks inject funds to contain fears of global credit crunch
The European Central Bank, ECB, pumped 94.8 billion Euros into the Euro zone banking market Thursday in an attempt to contain fears about a sub-prime credit crunch spilling over from United States.
Yuan clash: China threatens with massive sale of US bonds
The Chinese government has begun a concerted campaign of economic threats against the United States, hinting that it may liquidate its vast holding of US treasury bonds if Washington imposes trade sanctions to force a Yuan revaluation.
Zoellick on WB fund raising tour warns about corruption
World Bank President Robert Zoellick criticized on Thursday corruption in poor countries that receive the bank's loans, echoing the anti-graft stance of his controversial predecessor, Paul Wolfowitz.
Airbus denies mechanical fault in the Sao Paulo crash
The Airbus that crashed in Sao Paulo last month killing 199 people showed no sign of mechanical fault, a representative for the European aircraft manufacturer told the Brazilian Congress this week.
